Lately at Home

With school plays, babysitting, multiple illnesses, buying/selling cars, meetings, etc., we've been able to seek and find lovely bits of relaxation.

Family up for a visit, coffee and apple pear crisp, birthday candles.

A 40th anniversary party attended and our own anniversary celebrated.

The last snowfalls of the season, seeking warmth inside, and naps all around.

Hibernating

We've been hibernating a bit. The weather has been snowy and cold, which we've kind of enjoyed. We've built snowmen, and been to some bonfires in the snow.

We've spent a lot of time playing with our new toys. This is a puppet theater that 'Santa' built. It's beautiful! There are spotlights, a front chalkboard, even a sound effect machine. It's very tall so it even fits the adults that have been playing along. We're working on some of our story lines!

We've gotten to see some really neat ice sculptures at a local Ice Festival, and played indoor hockey. This rink is actually in a children's museum, you simply skate in your socks, no ice here.

Lots of family get togethers which have been nice and relaxed. We are still having some celebrations into January now, but it keeps things from being so hectic in December.

But still, a lot of staying warm by the fire and hibernating a bit.

Next up, I started cleaning a closet and have been inspired to keep going through each room in the house. Really, I can't wait!

I want to simplify this year, and focus more on time with my family and less on time cleaning and maintaining. I hope I can get there. Here is to a fresh, new year!

O Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful, two feasts, lots of time with family, some shopping, some football, some naps and downtime. And of course, bringing out the Christmas decorations.

We visited a new tree farm this year, joining our neighbors in their fun tradition. The children were thrilled visiting the animals - llamas, peacocks, hound dogs, donkeys, and most exciting...Bucky the reindeer.

The view was beautiful, the sun was warm, the cider was hot.

We took a nice tractor ride around the farm.

And had many discussions on the merits of each type of tree. With some cookies and hugs from Santa, we ventured back home for a cozy dinner with our friends.

Outside now it is snowing soft, fluttering flakes and we lit the fireplace last night for the first time this season. I am feeling thankful for my beautiful family.

Halloween

Halloween was

Trick or treating and lots of sweets.

Pumpkins and playing.

Seeing the cutest little creatures running about.

A crisp fall day and blankets.

Getting together with the neighbors, snacks and cider.

A hayride through the woods.

An Autumn Weekend

We've been soaking up fall with it's sunny days, blue skies, and temperate weather. The other weekend we had old friends up for a lovely harvest dinner party. We took a boat ride, enjoyed a delicious dinner, decorated Halloween cookies, and roasted s'mores over a campfire.

(Smoked apple cider and whiskey BBQ ribs, roasted root vegetables with fresh herbs, spinach salad with walnuts, roasted beets and fresh goat cheese, homemade dinner rolls. For dessert, apple tarte tatin with creme fraiche.)

The next morning we headed out to our favorite orchard for a hayride...

Some apple picking....

Feeding goats and pony rides.

Happy, happy times.

Week in Review

Nearing the end of our garden harvest.

Making delicious roasted vegetables from it.

Missing my husband and oldest children as they had a spectacular camping expedition.

But am excited they had so much fun.

Celebrating my husband's birthday. I love him so.

Enjoying our favorite coconut cream pie. Lots of sticky little fingers.

Weekend in Review

Fun evening dinners spent with friends.

Chocolate chip bars decorated in sprinkles.

Picking vegetables for dinner. So excited when we get a really big carrot!

Estate and garage sale shopping.

Finding lots of neat treasures.

End of Summer

Over Labor Day weekend, on cue, summer ended. We could feel and smell autumn in the air. We squeezed in one last swim, walked on a beach, rode an old wooden carousel and danced to a band.

But we also made chili, cuddled indoors, and watched some college football.

Goodbye Summer. It was grand.

My Birthday

This year was the first year I had started to feel older, but for my birthday I felt anything but that. It was the kind of weekend where we had some things planned, but mostly it all just fell into place on it's own. Any worries were left behind, and we were simply enjoying the moment.

Visiting old friends' new home, wine and champangne tastings, Counting Crows and Augustana concert in the park, some sausage and jerky from an unusual butcher shop, a delicious picnic.

My new 'vintage' bicycle from my husband. I never said anything to him, and I don't know how he picked something out of my daydreams. (it even has a bell, I love it!)

Al fresco dining with friends at the gazebo, Thai food and ice cream cake and miniature cupcakes from the bakery (the BEST strawberry cream cake I've ever had), flower bouquets from our garden, discovering a crabapple tree with the sweetest little apples, children playing outside and enjoying hay rides. Oh if every weekend were like this!